Review on friction stir welding of magnesium alloys

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is considered to be the most significant development in metal joining in last two decades. FSW has many advantages when welding magnesium or lightweight alloys. The Friction stir welding of magnesium alloy has many potential applications in major industries i.e. land transportation, aerospace, railway, shipbuilding and marine, construction, and many other industrial applications. Even magnesium alloys have been used in industrial equipment of nuclear energy as magnesium alloys have low tendency to absorb neutrons, sufficient resistance to carbon dioxide and excellent thermal conductivity. Recently, the research and development in FSW field and associated technologies have been developing rapidly worldwide. In this review article, the basic principle of friction stir welding and several aspects of friction stir welded magnesium alloys have been described. The current state of friction stir welding of magnesium alloys is summarized. In spite of this, much remains to be learned about the process and opportunities for further research are identified.